Thinking about the garden #2

Once the garden started to be under control some of the volunteers started to get the feeling that they wanted to see some progress forward by adding ground covers to the sides of the island that sloped to the creek. These ground covers were purchased with funds received from a grant that was awarded by the East Multnomah Soil and Water District, along with soils that were going to be used to replace those that had been eroded away over those past 30 years.

Planting began using materials purchased from local sources and were being stored in an area provided by the Gresham Parks and Recreation. Now began the feeling of accomplishment when a volunteer could stand back and see the results of that labor put forth over several weeks in the late fall. About the same time that the planting efforts were in force volunteers were also involved with the installation of the irrigation system. Irrigation products were donated by Rainbird and included the controller, rain sensors, 10 valve sets, valve boxes, 1-inch PVC pipe and all the drip irrigation accessories that we could ever need. After renting a trencher we installed the system underground and added the control wires for the system to function electronically. After several days of cleaning trenches that were 15-inches deep and laying out valves and pipe as the design called for, we were ready to cover everything up with the soil that came out of the trenches.

The system will be powered by electricity that will be provided from the mainland. During the construction of the new trail system in the park, a conduit was installed from an area near the “COHO’ shelter to the entrance at the bridge. The wires to support our electrical needs will be provided in the early spring.

The island and adjoining areas will have drip irrigation available by using an above and below ground tubing. The system will be very efficient and will only be used when materials are first planted and during the months of July, August and early September. If it begins to rain the system function will be terminated with the use of a wireless sensor positioned near the bridge. The sensor will record the accumulated amount of rain and will interrupt the controller function by causing the neutral wire in the controller to disconnect. Once the sensor detects the absence of rain and a period of dryness the controller function will be restored.